The number of fatalities from the freight aircraft that ignited and plummeted has now reached 13, as confirmed by recent announcements.
City Leader's Announcement
Traveling to the Teamsters’ vigil, I learned of a thirteenth victim that died as a result of the plane accident,” wrote the local official in a public communication. “My prayers is with the families, friends and colleagues of all who were lost in this recent tragedy. We will endure this collectively.”
Deceased Confirmed
A statement from UPS identified the officers operating the jet as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and Relief Captain Dana Diamond.
“Our sympathies go out to each staff member who has been impacted and everyone in our community area – assisting you and ensuring you obtain the attention and aid you need is our priority,” the firm’s message read.
Probe Findings
National investigators revealed that the UPS cargo plane’s port side wing ignited and an engine fell off shortly after liftoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport, resulting in the plane to plummet and explode into a fireball.
The NTSB has said it is investigating the plane’s maintenance history, that was in the state for maintenance several weeks prior to the crash.
Aviation data indicated the plane was on the runway in San Antonio, Texas from 3 September to mid-October.
“We are aware that this plane was located in that city,” remarked an official on the following day, not giving a exact time frame. “We will examine all elements of maintenance that was completed, even the Texas period, straight to the date of the journey.”
Recovery of Key Items
The cockpit voice recorder and information unit were recovered, and the power plant was found on the airfield.
The units – called flight recorders – were constructed to survive accident forces and intense heat from fires, and they looked to be in one piece when discovered among the remains. Investigators plan on reviewing recordings from the recorders.
Aircraft’s concluding data recordings showed an height of 475 feet and a rate of that speed prior to the crash.
Maintenance Background
Based on aviation authority documents dated that date, a fracture on a structural piece within the tank area required fixes.
Headquartered in Singapore ST Engineering, which stated it provides structural repairs for the company’s MD-11 and runs a repair facility in San Antonio, declined to comment, but said it would work closely when investigators contacted it.
Operations Resume
At the same time, the facility operations restarted Wednesday night with its Next Day Air or night sort operation, representative the company official confirmed. The three runways at the aviation hub were also reopened.
The UPS package handling facility in Louisville is the company’s biggest. The facility employs over a large number of people in the locality, handles 300 flights each day and organizes in excess of 400,000 items an hour.
Local Reaction
A candlelight vigil was conducted on the evening of that date by the area Teamsters Union, which represents staff at the airfield, the company’s primary air cargo hub.
The union chapter, which supports UPS workers, commenced the vigil with a quiet tribute at the evening hour, the approximate moment of the accident previously.
“This event was so unexpected, so unforeseen,” the mayor told the crowd of attendees. “No one had a opportunity to say goodbye to any one of those who we have mourned.”
